Renewing the Countryside Urban Agriculture

Recognizing, supporting, and connecting existing urban agriculture initiatives and networks to help build a more robust Twin Cities food system where urban farmers/gardeners can flourish and access the resources needed to reach their goals. 

As part of this initiative we will:

• Steward an urban agriculture micro-grants program
  
  • Review a summary of the first round of micro-grants!
• Co-host field trips to urban farms and gardens to learn, share, and promote urban ag community efforts and practices
  
• Hold urban farmer/gardener record-keeping, financial, and business learning opportunities
  
• Build reciprocal relationships to better understand urban farmer/gardener experiences, needs, and goals, and to foster collaboration
• Guide farmers/gardeners in accessing USDA programs/services
• Provide support for urban land access preparation
• Facilitate anti-oppression community of practice

Initiative Background

In the summer of 2023, the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA)--guided by the USDA Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production--launched the National Urban Agriculture Initiative (NUAg) by establishing Urban Agriculture Service Centers in 17 metro areas across the US, including the Twin Cities. In each place, USDA is working with a community partner to conduct outreach, education, and technical assistance to establish a client base of urban farmers for the new Urban Service Centers. Based on long-standing partnerships, the MN office of FSA engaged Renewing the Countryside (RTC) in this outreach role.